Waiting times in Quebec emergency rooms were considered high Thursday morning in each of Quebec's 15 regions, except for two of them, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Gaspésie–Îles-of-the-Madeleine.
The Index Sande site, which tracks occupancy rates and wait times in emergency rooms, noted that after 6 a.m., the rate averaged 136%, the highest since a spike in traffic after a brief Christmas period lull. .
The most critical situation was noted earlier in the day in the Lanaudière region, where the occupancy of emergency rooms at Lanaudière and Pierre-Le-gardeur hospitals averaged 213%. The region had 49 patients on stretchers for more than 24 hours, including 16 for more than 48 hours.
In the neighboring region, the Laurentians, the emergency occupancy rate was 177%.
The rates were measured as 158% in Montérégie, 155% in Chaudière-Appalaches, 144% in Montreal, 139% in Outaouais, 135% in Laval, 132% in Quebec, 121% in Bas-Saint-Laurent, 108%. 105% in the Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec region and the Estrie.
Emergency room traffic was 90% in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and 72% in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
At the start of the day, there were more than 3,900 Quebecers in emergency rooms. Earlier in the day, people spent an average of five and a half hours in the waiting room.
After the lull of the Christmas season, traffic in Quebec emergency rooms continued to increase. At its worst, it was 120% on December 29 and 133% on Wednesday this week.
Everything points to traffic being linked to an increase in the number of respiratory viruses. Ahead of New Year's Day, the Quebec government called on people to exercise caution to limit the spread of these viruses and avoid putting additional pressure on the health network.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) has warned that viruses such as COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are spreading widely.
The ministry noted that most of the patients who approach the emergency department do not need to go there. Among the examples observed on a daily basis, the ministry reported symptoms of sore throat, mild cough, gastroenteritis, significant dehydration symptoms and urinary tract infections. These health problems can often be addressed through counseling on the 811 telephone line or Digital First Line Access Desk (GAP).
However, the ministry reminds that one should not hesitate to go to the emergency room for any health condition that requires immediate attention.
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